Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artist: Geoff Shaw
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Joe Sabino
Big Guns: Part 3
Benjamin Percy is doing an awesome job on Wade Wilson: Deadpool #9. Wade’s story just keeps getting more interesting with each new issue. Percy clearly knows how to write Wade’s humor. However, I’m surprised at how well the serious tone of this event stayed intact. With this being a Deadpool book, I just thought Wade and Frank (Punisher) would go to war, and whoever wins has the most bullets. Instead, we get a motivated Wade who wants his daughter back, while still cracking jokes and annoying everyone.
Spoilers Ahead
A Timeless Punishment
Picking up where we left off in Punisher #8, Wade and Frank are still fighting over the time gun. Wade was hired to break in and steal it. Frank’s reasons will be revealed. Through the power of editorial boxes (and his “evil mysterious laughter), Percy knows who made it, and it could be presumed he will reveal that later on. As Frank readies his shot, he says something I can honestly forgive Percy for not letting him talk sooner:
“Maria, Lisa, Frank Jr.…you don't have to die.”
That is not the Punisher talking. Frank Castle is talking. A man who’s been numb ever since his family was taken from him. But Wade stops Frank from shooting. They fight, stabbing each other. There are explosions and blood. Y’know, typical Wade x Frank interaction. Wade gets away with the gun by profusely vomiting blood straight into Frank’s face. I didn’t expect to see that drawn, but Shaw and Sinclair make it worth it.
Debriefing with Deadpool
Before Wade and Blind Al make off to deliver the gun to the mysterious client on this job, they have a little chat. Wade is in the same boat as Frank. They both just want their family back: Frank with his wife and kids, Wade with his daughter. Blind Al then gives Wade some serious advice. It’s funny she mentions firing the gun, considering it went off twice while Wade fought Frank and killed a sabretooth tiger and a cowboy. So, now the gun went from 10 uniquely crafted bullets to 8. But I think Blind Al is onto something. And I think it applies to Frank as well. Frank getting that shot off would stop the mafia from killing his family. Deadpool shooting that gun would save his daughter. But neither of them knows themselves in that scenario. They truly don’t know how things would be. As a fan of this arc, I enjoyed seeing this play out. However, I saw the movie “The Butterfly Effect (2004)” too young and have been scared straight enough not to go down this rabbit hole in my own life ever since. You change one thing, and your whole life is different.
Hitting The Mark With Bullseye
We find Bullseye at the bar, several drinks deep. He wagers a bet with the customers that he can hit the bullseye on the dartboard while drinking his seventh beer AND balancing on one foot. Now, I do not drink, so I don’t know what a usual “drink limit” is, but I’m almost certain Bullseye, of all people, is too unpredictable even sober. So why is he being served that much? John Taffer would shut that bar down!
Sorry, back to the story.
Someone does end up taking him up on that bet, none other than Black Hole. He puts a fat duffel bag on the table, overflowing with money. Bullseye wins the bet, killing the bartender with the dart in the process (because what else is Bullseye good for?). Black Hole knew Bullseye would succeed, though. It was all a test. Then, he uhh — absorbs(?) Bullseye while telling him about the time gun. I like the last thing Black Hole tells Bullseye: “[the time gun] is worthless to me…without a sniper who can’t miss.” Yes, Bullseye is a deplorable person. However, the fact that anything could be his weapon is actually really cool.
Passing The Test
We pop back to Wade and Blind Al as they meet with that mysterious client, who turns out to be Black Hole yet again. He is up to some nefarious hijnx with that time gun, and he needs his pawns to do his bidding. Again, this is all some big test to him. Black Hole uses his Badpools to overpower Wade and Blind Al. They steal and give the gun to Black Hole while he absorbs Wade and Blind Al. Before he absorbs them, he tells Wade that HE hired Wade on that mission on the plane that ended up being Ellie’s last. This bombshell surprised me, and I cannot wait to see how Wade handles Black Hole.
The Art
Shaw and Sinclair are a solid duo on this book. Their talents mix so well to create an exciting energy that matches Deadpool’s chaotic nature. My favorite panel in this is the scene where Black Hole absorbs Bullseye. It is a big moment in this issue and arc. The entire thing looks so dynamic on the page. Shaw’s linework is so fluid. He knows just when to keep them light and when to make them bold. The colors are my favorite thing. Sinclair did so well with the purples, whites, and blues. It is a different color scheme than I’m used to, but Sinclair handles them beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Wade Wilson: Deadpool #9 does a good job balancing the story with action. The penultimate issue of ‘Big Guns’ needed some fire under it, and it got it. Percy is keeping a strong, emotional story at the core of this frenzied crossover event. The art team always comes through within these pages, and they’re making this book one of my favorites. As a whole, I will say this book has the stronger issues in this crossover with Punisher. It surprises me to say that, considering, to me, I didn’t think Percy writing Wade would surpass him writing Frank.